Chapter 418: Mushrooms

Beckland North District, near Saint Samuel Cathedral.

After Xiu and Foersi performed some disguise, they relied on Foersi's door‑opening ability to enter a small booth of a restaurant near the cathedral.

Xiu placed the silver mirror, apparently possessed by a ghost, onto the table; the words on its surface remained the same as before, suggesting the ghost's power was too weak even to alter the mirror's words.

Foersi set the bunch of white fresh flowers he held onto the surface of the silver mirror, and solemnly said, "Madam, although I do not know your name, I hope you may find eternal peace in the Deep Dark Heaven."

When Foersi placed the white flowers on the mirror, the Rune script words on the surface suddenly twisted and changed; moments later new words appeared: "Thank you, kind person. This is my favorite jasmine, the first bouquet I have ever received, though I can no longer smell its scent."

"My greatest dream once was to save up a gold pound, buy a bouquet of my favorite jasmine, taste a bite of the most delicious Dixi pastry, and visit a circus I have never set foot in."

"I truly thank you; you must be a kind child. I heard your blessing, kind lady, and I will pray for you in the Deep Dark Heaven!"

Watching the words continuously appear on the mirror's surface, Foersi stood dazed in place, hesitated for a long moment, then took out her purse, drew a one‑pound banknote, and placed it atop the bouquet.

Xiu, standing nearby, stared blankly at Foersi; although she was also moved by the mirror's words, placing a banknote directly on it was too reckless. Xiu's pupils suddenly widened, and she saw the white jasmine on the mirror and the brand‑new one‑pound note vanish together.

Also disappearing was a line of words on the mirror that faded away: "I will watch over you in the Deep Dark Heaven, pray for you, and wish you a peaceful, happy passage through every day of your life."

"How did it take the items out of our sight?"

Foersi stared blankly for two seconds, then, with a hint of disbelief, turned her head toward Xiu and said.

Xiu's gaze lingered solemnly on the mirror on the table for a while before hesitantly speaking:

"I don't know, but its spirit seems to have been exhausted, turning it into an ordinary mirror."

"Let's donate it to the church; even if there are issues, the church's extraordinary beings will surely detect and resolve them."

"Alright." Foersi nodded without hesitation; just as she was about to reach for the silver mirror, her inspiration was suddenly sparked.

She turned her head toward the top of the mirror, where a dazed, somewhat translucent rabbit emerged from the spirit realm, cradling a gray‑brown‑covered book.

"Rabbit of Knowledge?" Foersi asked in confusion, just as she greeted it, and saw it dart back into the spirit realm, clutching the book.

"What is it here for? Why is it running?"

Foersi stared blankly for two seconds, then turned toward Xiu and saw the same puzzled expression on their face.

At the junction of Pas River Valley and Harvest Plains, specks of starlight swirled around a sleek, jet‑black crow that appeared as if teleporting.

Clusters of starlight surged and coalesced, within which the figure of Rekton materialized.

Walking up the Pas River Valley, the sky gradually darkened unnoticed, and Rekton casually strode across the sparsely trodden grass.

"Boss, the mushrooms here glow— they look delicious!"

Crow Anu circled in the air once, then landed on Rekton's shoulder and said.

Rekton's gaze swept over the mushrooms in Anu's beak; they were scattered along the edge of the thicket and sparse grass clumps, their caps marked with many circular patterns that emitted a faint blue glow in the dim light.

"You may be an omnivore, but mushrooms probably aren't on your menu," Rekton remarked casually.

Mid‑sentence, he stepped toward the nearest mushroom, half‑crouched, and grasped its stem; the sensation on his palm made him pause, for although it was a mushroom, the touch felt like flesh.

He applied a bit of force, yanked the mushroom hard; with a 'squelch', moist soil splattered, and the mushroom snapped off.

He looked at the mushroom in his hand, noting a few bits of soil beneath the stem and a faint rotting odor.

Rekton inhaled deeply, straightened his back, and examined the mushroom; his inspiration was subtly stirred, as if it related to his investigation. He handed the mushroom to the crow and said:

"Do you sense the smell of decay?"

"No, I don't see anything special about it."

Crow Anu shook its head, responding with a puzzled sound.

Rekton felt the mushroom's texture; a faint violet glow flickered in his lowered eyes, and under the gaze of the Eye of Secrets he continuously analyzed the mushroom.

The mushroom, which should have been a fungus, displayed characteristics of animal cells and even some plant traits. Fortunately my biology foundation is solid; otherwise I might not have noticed the issue.

Rekton sighed inwardly, then generated sparkling star‑light that swirled around the mushroom, instantly condensing into a semi‑transparent amber that sealed it.

Having finished, he turned his head toward the crow on his shoulder and said:

"Fly around this area, see how many of these glowing mushrooms there are, and determine their growth range."

"After the survey, return straight to the inn; I'll head to the Earth Mother Church on Harvest Plains."

"Alright, boss." Crow Anu replied, flapping its wings and soaring away.

Watching Crow Anu circle in the air, Rekton stepped forward; his body instantly became ethereal, turning into flickering star‑light that surged into the spirit realm.

Hatis City, at the far east of Harvest Plains.

This is the headquarters of the Earth Mother Church on the Southern Continent; they have also erected a Natural Chapel here, overseen by Archbishop Martina of the Earth Mother Church, who handles the church's affairs on the Southern Continent.

In a narrow lane outside the Natural Chapel, Rekton's silhouette quickly took shape.

He held a semi‑transparent amber in his hand, within which a mushroom emitted faint blue glows.

It was already evening, and few came to pray at the chapel; Rekton did not conceal his form, and after exiting the lane walked straight toward the Natural Chapel.

In the chapel's main hall, only a priest in a gray‑white clerical robe and a handful of scattered believers were present.

Upon entering, Rekton felt a gaze land on him; a faint violet gleam flashed in his eyes as he returned the look.

His eyes pierced the thick wall, seeing a figure approaching from the back of the chapel:

She was a mature woman, plump, with a bronze complexion; her light‑brown hair was braided into small plaits that fell neatly down her back, and she wore a priest's robe embroidered with flowers and wheat ears.

Beside her walked Tu Ba Ge, wearing a hooded cloak; the staff he once held had been swapped for a carrot about the length of a baby's arm.

She only glanced at Rekton before looking away; a glance is fine, a look is good...

He casually found a seat in the hall, gently closed his eyes as if pretending to nap.

After a moment, Rekton sensed someone approaching, carrying a faint scent of fresh grass and earth, as if just returned from the fields.

Rekton slowly opened his eyes, smiled lightly, and bowed, saying:

"Good evening, you must be Archbishop Martina, right?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Tu Ba Ge, already perched on his leg, and reached out to rub its soft ears.

(End of Chapter)